"SPY×FAMILY (Spy Family)" Season 2, currently airing on TV Tokyo and other networks, has caught the attention of anime fans. In a recent interview with Saori Hayami, who plays the role of Yor Forger, Anime! Anime! delved into her thoughts on the character, the key points when portraying Yor, and also discussed how she switches between her private life and work in line with her character's traits.
[Reporter and Writer: Koyonosuke Yoshino]
- Can you tell us about scenes from Season 1 where you had difficulty with your performance or scenes that left a lasting impression?
There was an episode where Yor, after going to a bar with Lloyd and having a bit too much to drink, goes on a rampage. I found it challenging because Yor herself isn't entirely aware of her feelings towards him – whether it's trust or love, and if it's love, what kind of love it is. In such scenes, the nuances in the dialogue can make it sound like there's a romantic connection with a slight change in tone, or on the contrary, make it sound dry. So, it required a nuanced performance that doesn't make it too clear, and since she's intoxicated, it needed to sound authentically honest. I received detailed direction on how to portray this.
- Indeed, that balance is quite tricky. From a viewer's perspective, Yor's duality is easy to understand, but when you delve into her emotions, the way they're expressed can completely change the impression.
That's right. Furthermore, Yor's character has an "unconscious" element that surprisingly influences her feelings for Lloyd and even her actions in combat. I also noticed more scenes that interweave these aspects in the latter half of Season 1.
- Switching those gears must be quite challenging. This is a personal impression, but you and Yor seem quite similar. You exude a cheerful atmosphere in your daily life, and professionally, you both have a strong presence. Is there a moment where you felt a connection with Yor?
I, like Yor, have been fond of experimenting with cooking since I was a child. I could relate to her attempts to take on the challenge of cooking dishes she's not good at. Just like her, there have been times when I've ended up making something quite terrible (laughs), but when my family appreciated something I prepared well, it brought me immense joy.
- Memories of someone appreciating what you've made do tend to linger. I also enjoy Yor's cooking episodes; they are always entertaining (laughs). By the way, how about the professional aspect of being a "spy"?
In terms of the professional aspect, I feel a connection to Yor's unconscious switching. I'm the type who tends to get nervous and can become rigid if I consciously think, "It's work, I have to do my best...". So, I usually approach it naturally and unconsciously when I enter the set. I think that's a similarity I share with her.
- Do you have any routines or practices for switching between your private life and work?
Stretching before bed has become a routine for me. When my body gets stiff, it can lead to unnecessary tension and difficulty in articulating properly, which doesn't bode well for acting. I've been doing it since my student days. Also, even after I'm on set, I do shoulder rolls and neck stretches, things I can do while sitting, to stay flexible.
- In terms of switching your mood, you mentioned creating a "list of things that make you feel better." For example, taking a leisurely bath with a nice bath bomb, doing your favorite nail art, or going to smell testers of your favorite scents (laughs).
I make a list of these little moments of happiness for myself, and I choose what I want to do at that moment. Lately, I've been really into solving puzzles, which uses a different part of my brain, giving me a change of mood.
- Has your private life experience ever influenced your work?
It happens quite a lot. I think it's partly because I've been working since my student days. Memories from school events and the feeling of chatting with friends during breaks still live on in my acting. I also enjoy going to watch plays and movies, so I derive inspiration from the emotions I experience during those moments.
- By the way, what inspired your portrayal of Yor's character?
I take cues from those moments when Yor becomes "blank" or in a daze, or when she's genuinely enjoying a conversation without overthinking it.
- The animation is created with utmost fidelity to the original source, and even a single character difference in the script might prompt detailed adjustments on the set. So, I initially take hints from the subtle descriptions in the source material. But for Yor, the aspect of "not overthinking" is significant.
- Expressing that sense of "unconsciousness" you mentioned.
That's right. It's challenging to put into words, but I approach it with the intention of eliminating unnecessary thoughts as much as possible.
- In your experience, what has been your favorite scene in the story so far?
Personally, I really like the scene where Anya takes a star (Stella). It was heartwarming to see the whole family celebrating and smiling together.
- It's a great scene that showcases the family's strong bond.
The depth of the Forger family's bond has been growing in Season 2's "Luxury Cruise Arc." Yor spends some time separately with Lloyd and Anya, and it's an episode where you can feel the immense trust they've built up until now.
- At this point, it seems like the Forger family is irreplaceable to Yor.
That's right. Initially, they had a "fictitious family relationship" that started from mutual self-interest, but now it feels like the premise has reversed to a "family-oriented relationship." Not only in Season 2 but also in the upcoming movie, "SPY×FAMILY CODE: White," which will be released on December 22, the story focuses on such family relationships, so I hope everyone enjoys them together.
- Also, there are various characters around Yor, but is there any character you find particularly interesting?
I think my little brother (Yuri) is quite interesting (laughs). He has a strong personality as a character, and during the Season 2 recordings, there were many scenes where I thought, "Yor and her brother really do have that sibling dynamic." You can sense the similarities that have developed from growing up together, as well as the relationship between monologues and lines. It's a different kind of family connection than the Forger family.
- Fiona has also become a more energetic character in the animated series. Her character is strong, and in Season 1's tennis episode, the animation and drawings made it feel like a sports manga (laughs). Her monologues are cute and endearing, which I found lovely.
- We're looking forward to your performance in Season 2 (laughs). Finally, could you please share a message with all the fans?
Since Season 2 continues seamlessly from Season 1, I believe you can start watching with excitement from the very first episode of Season 2. There are plenty of sub-episodes that will be delightful surprises for fans of the original work, where you might think, "They're animating this story too!" Please look forward to it!
TV Anime "SPY×FAMILY" Season 2
▼ Broadcast Information:
Airing every Saturday at 23:00 on TV Tokyo and other networks!
※ Broadcast schedule is subject to change.
▼ Streaming Platforms:
ABEMA, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ (Disney Plus), d Anime Store, d Anime Store Nico Nico Branch, d Anime Store for Prime Video, DMM TV, FOD, Hulu, J:COM On Demand, Lemino, milplus, Netflix, TELASA, TELASA (au Smart Pass Premium), U-NEXT, WOWOW On Demand, Anime Times, Anime Hodai, Bandai Channel, and more.
1
Original Work: Tatsuya Endo (Serialized in Shueisha's "Shonen Jump+")
Directors: Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Takahiro Harada
Series Composition: Ichiro Okouchi
Assistant Series Composition: Daishiro Tanimura, Ayumi Kyu
Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Kazuaki Shimada
Color Design: Kyo Ko
Art Setting: Yoshinori Shiozawa, Studio Easter
Art Director: Minami Usui
3DCG Director: Katsuaki Miyachi
Director of Photography: Yuya Sakuma
Editor: Akari Saito (Mishima Editing Room)
Music Production: (K)NoW_NAME
Sound Director: Shoji Hata
Sound Effects: Noriko Shimo
Production: WIT STUDIO × CloverWorks
Opening Theme Song: Ado "Kurakura"
Ending Theme Song: Vaundy "Todome no Ichigeki" feat. Cory Wong
2
Lloyd Forger: Takuya Eguchi
Anya Forger: Atsumi Tanezaki (*Note: Tanezaki's name is correctly spelled as Tanezaki)
Yor Forger: Saori Hayami
Bond Forger: Kenichiro Matsuda
Franky Franklin: Hiroyuki Yoshino
Silvia Sherwood: Yuko Kaida
Henry Henderson: Kazuhiro Yamaji
Yuri Briar: Kenjiro Tsuda
Damian Desmond: Natsumi Fujiwara
Becky Blackbell: Emiri Kato
Fiona Frost: Ayane Sakura
(C) Tatsuya Endo / Shueisha - SPY×FAMILY Production Committee